Method and machine for installing electrical box, wiring, and receptacle or switch simultaneously

ABSTRACT

A machine for installing electrical box, wiring, and receptacles or switch simultaneously, A process that allows electricians to perform all 3 tasks at one time without the need to return to install receptacles or switch after wallboard is installed, Comprised of: Housing with built-in laser guide and attached magnetic spacers for metal studs or wooden studs that allow for correct alignment of receptacle or switch for applicable wallboard thickness used.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of construction and morespecifically to a machine for installing electrical box, wiring, andreceptacles or switch simultaneously; A process that allows electriciansto perform all 3 tasks at one time without the need to return to installreceptacles or switch after wall board is installed. This technology isderived from the inefficiency of having electricians re-visit a job sitethus incurring additional labor costs and time scheduling conflicts.

Commercial high rise construction is comprised of tens of thousandselectrical outlets. When considering the labor costs of remobilizingelectricians to complete the installation of the receptacles/switches,the adverse effect on project duration results in huge monetary spendingwhile increasing the possibility of delays in meeting schedulingmilestones.

Prior technology mandates a three-step process: Install electric box andwiring, install wallboard, install receptacle or switch with properalignment to existing wallboard. Prior technology incurs huge laborcosts when electricians return to install receptacle or switch oncewallboard is installed. Eliminating final step of prior technologycontributes to overall project efficiency by reducing time spent oncoordinating and scheduling of multiple crafts; in turn, saving time incompleting final project.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide one-time installationof wiring, box, and receptacle or switch.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the labor costs by allowingthe electrician to accomplish the entire task at once.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, it disclosesa machine for installing electrical box, wiring, and receptacles orswitch simultaneously, allowing electricians to perform all 3 tasks atone time without the need to return to install receptacles or switchafter wallboard is installed; Comprised of: Body with built-in laserguide and attached magnetic spacers that allow for correct alignment ofreceptacle or switch for applicable wallboard thickness used; No currenttechnology available that provides one-time installation of wiring, box,and receptacle or switch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the invention. 1(a) is the body of theunit that houses the battery, laser components and 1(b) the on/offswitch; 1(c) is the spacer housing permanently attached to the body,accepting and housing various sized magnetic spacers; 1(d) is the actuallaser beam projection lens that projects the correct alignment for theswitch and receptacle representing the finished location relative to thefinished wall thickness; and 1(e) is the appropriately sized magneticspacer providing the correct alignment for the laser.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention. 2(a) is the body of theunit that houses the battery, laser components and 2(b) the on/offswitch; 2(c) is the spacer housing, 2(d) the actual laser beamprojection lens; 2(e) is the magnetic spacer; 2(f) is the electricalbox; and 2(g) is the receptacle.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the invention. 3(a) is the front view of theunit's body; 3(b) is the back view of the unit's body; 3(c) is the sideview of the unit's body; 3(d) is the top view of the unit's body.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the invention. 4(a) is the body of theunit, 4(b) the on/off switch; 4(c) metal or wood stud; 4(d) is the laserbeam projection lens; 4(e) is the electrical box; and 4(f) is thereceptacle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailedsystem, structure or manner.

In accordance with the present invention, current technology allows theelectrician to install the wiring and the electrical box only. He thenleaves the project and returns when the finished wallboard is installedin order to install and properly align the switch or receptacle to thisfinished wallboard. This invention allows the electrician to installwiring, box, and receptacle or switch simultaneously thus ensuringprecise positioning of receptacle or switch when finished wallboard isinstalled at a later date.

Operation of this invention requires the user to slide a magnetic spacerinto the body that matches with the pre-determined thickness of thefinished wallboard; then the device is attached to the wall stud wherethe electrical box, wiring, and receptacle or switch is connected. Thedevice is then turned on projecting a laser beam that will allow theelectrician to align the receptacle or switch with the beam. Thisalignment will precisely match the finished wallboard installed later.

There is no current technology available that provides one-timeinstallation of wiring, box, and receptacle or switch. This inventionwill reduce construction labor costs and expedite project duration byallowing the electrician to accomplish the entire task at once. Thisinvention is compact in size, lightweight, battery operated, and laserguided.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for installing wiring, an electricalbox, and a receptacles or switch simultaneously, comprising the stepsof: providing a device comprising: a laser guide; and a housingaccepting various sizes of magnetic spacers; inserting into said housinga magnetic spacer having a thickness equal to a thickness of a wallboard to be installed at a later time; attaching said device to a wallstud in proximity to said wiring where said electrical box andreceptacle or switch are to be installed; activating said device toproject a laser beam from said laser guide to align said electrical boxand receptacle or switch with said laser beam; and installing saidelectrical box and receptacle or switch wherein after said wall board isinstalled, said electrical box and receptacle or switch is properlyaligned to said wall board installed at a later time.
 2. The processaccording to claim 1 wherein said device further comprises a battery andan on/off switch.
 3. The process according to claim 1 wherein saiddevice is attached to a metal or wooden said wall stud by said magneticspacer.
 4. A device for installing wiring, an electrical box, and areceptacle or switch at one time, comprising: a body comprising: a laserguide to align said receptacle or switch relative to the finishedwallboard thickness; and a battery; and a spacer housing attached tosaid body wherein said spacer housing accepts various sizes of magneticspacers matching predetermined thickness of said wallboard.
 5. Thedevice according to claim 4 further comprising said magnetic spacers. 6.The device according to claim 4 wherein attaching said device inproximity to said wiring, inserting a magnetic spacer having a thicknessequal to a thickness of a wall board to be installed at a later timeinto said spacer housing, and projecting a laser beam from said laserguide allows a user to align said electrical box and said receptacle orswitch with said wall board installed at said later time.
 7. The deviceaccording to claim 4 wherein said device further comprises an on/offswitch on said body.